Stormy Weather

Cinco: I am really starting to have a problem with you pinning me up against kids.

Lionel: If Sarah was almost able to do it, and I am sure Gio will too.

Sarah: Master, you say I am a prodigy, and I have more Ora than an average human. If I couldn't beat Cinco in a year, what makes you think Gio can?

Lionel: Sarah, you only lost because you went overbroad and hit your limit. You might've won if you didn't.

Sarah: How? I was in a corner. I couldn't have gotten out of that.

Cinco: I am not going to lie; I was almost at my limit, too.

Sarah: Really?

Cinco: I took a knife through the hand, Sarah.

Gio: Wait, what?

Sarah: It was something you needed to be there for Gio.

Lionel: My point stands.

Cinco: Master, be serious with yourself. Sarah is a prodigy. Even though there was a chance she could've won that fight, she still didn't. And you are giving that brat a more difficult task. Sarah was supposed to only land one hit on me. You are telling Gio to win a fight. How is he supposed to do that?

Gio: I can do it.

Everyone's attention turns to Gio. Sarah and Cinco's faces change to ones of confusion.

Cinco: How do you plan on doing that?

Gio: How did Sarah train?

Sarah: Workouts I had to do every day.

Gio: You can give me more challenging workouts than you gave Sarah. So that way, I grow at 2x the speed.

Lionel: ...

Sarah: ...

Cinco: ... You wouldn't survive the day.

Gio: I think I could.

Lionel: Gio ... let's talk outside.

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Gio, Lionel, and Sarah start to walk up the hill where Sarah fought Cinco train. Gio's breath slowly got heavier as he went up the hill. Gio began to walk slower as they moved up the hill, and Sarah slowed down to talk to him.

Sarah: I am sorry to say, but Cinco might be right. If even walking up this hill is tiring you out, then I don't think your idea would be ... best for you. Listen, Master jumps the gun. This all started because he wanted you and Cinco to get along. Maybe if you start being nice to him, he will become friendlier to you.

Gio: He isn't the reason I want to do this. Do you know how useful that could be? I don't care if some guy I barely know likes me or not. I am thinking about how I could use Ora or my ability in the long run. I mean, no one knows what my ability is yet, but I am sure I could think of a way to use it no matter what it is. And even if I can't, I still have Ora to increase my strength and speed and more. That is why I want to do this.

Sarah had no idea why, but that explanation made her feel uneasy. It made her feel like she knew nothing about Gio or his intentions. They reached the top of the hill, and Master turned around and pointed towards the bottom of the weeping willow tree. Gio and Sarah go and sit at the bottom of the tree.

Lionel: So, Gio, you seem to have a lot of questions. So, is there anything you are wondering before we start?

Gio: How does Ora work?

Lionel: There are four Ora branches. Mind, movement, emotional, and passive. Each person capable of manipulating Ora is given one of the four randomly when they are born.

Gio: How do they each work?

Lionel: Passive Ora manipulation is the rarest and the easiest to control when it comes to abilities. I say this because, for passive Ora abilities, all you need to do is turn them on.

Gio: ... Sounds thrilling.

Lionel: It is very simple. It doesn't even really require training to get the hang of it. Unless you enhance other things about yourself with Ora, you can't even go over your limit with passive Ora manipulation because all it is is turning your ability on.

Sarah: Can't it be turned off, too?

Lionel: Yes. I am glad you still remember Sarah.

Gio: The passive one sounds ... interesting, but what about the other ones?

Lionel: Movement Ora manipulation is the hardest to train, and it is the type of manipulation I have. For this type of manipulation, you need to do certain movements to use your Ora.

Gio: Is that why your hand was raised to the door while opening it?

Lionel: Yes.

Gio: So all it took was the movement of your arm and hand to open a door of that size?

Lionel: Small actions like that require small movements.

Gio and Sarah: [Opening a door that big is a small action?]

Lionel: The movements can be as small as snapping your fingers. As long as what you are trying to do with your Ora isn't complicated, the movements shouldn't be complicated, either.

Gio: So what is the most complicated thing you have ever done with your ability?

Lionel: Let me think ... the most recent thing I can think of is making the walls around the village. That is the most I have used my ability in a long time. Probably that and the last time I sparred with Gray.

Sarah: You never told me you actually fought Gray.

Lionel: It was a very embarrassing loss for me. So I don't like to talk about it much.

Sarah: It was that bad?

Lionel: When I say "embarrassing loss," I mean the way I lost was embarrassing. Not that I put up a bad fight.

Gio: How did you lose?

Lionel: ... Moving on.

Gio: DON'T IGNORE ME!

Lionel: Emotional Ora manipulation is linked to your emotions. As long as you are in control of your emotions, you are in control of your ability and your Ora. If you lose control of your emotions, you lose control of your ability and Ora. Sarah, for example, has emotional Ora manipulation.

Gio: Really? I am surprised Sarah is so strong. She tends to be very emotional at times.

Gio spoke from experience. In the time that he got to know Sarah, he had seen how emotional she could be. A part of him, however, felt terrible. Now that he was told what Raymond had done, he understood why she was emotional.

Sarah: Why does everyone keep saying that?

Gio: I didn't mean it as an insult, Sarah.

Sarah: I know. I was just saying it is irritating how people keep saying it.

Lionel: There is nothing wrong with being emotional, Sarah. Just don't let your emotions control you.

Sarah: Yes, Master.

Lionel: Mind Ora manipulation is probably the most simple out of all of them. For mind, all you would need to do is think about it. You need to hone your mind so you can have better control of it, though. You also need to keep focus when using Ora, which is better said than done in some situations.

Gio: What do you mean?

Sarah: Try staying focused when you're getting thrown into buildings.

Gio: Oh. You also said Sarah has a lot of Ora for a normal human. Why is that?

Lionel: That is a question I actually don't know. She could've been born with it because of who her parents are; she could've had training before we met. The amount of Ora you have could also increase if your will is strong enough. What is your next question, Gio?

Gio: How do you get an ability?

Lionel: Abilities manifest naturally when you gain enough control over your Ora. Ora and abilities go hand in hand.

Gio: So what if I suck at controlling Ora? Does my ability come out bad, too?

Lionel: Yes, people are able to control Ora enough so that their abilities can manifest naturally. It doesn't even take that much control for an ability to manifest. But controlling your ability and being versatile with it is when it gets difficult. That actually brings me to my next topic. Limits.

Gio: You have told me about that. How exactly can you reach your limits?

Lionel: When you try controlling or forcing out more Ora, then you can handle. That is when you would reach your limit.

Gio: Sound's easy to avoid.

Sarah: It isn't.

Gio: What do you mean?

Lionel: People tend to think they can handle more than they actually can, and they naturally try harder the more difficult something is. It is normal human nature.

Gio: What happens if you reach your limit?

Lionel: You usually pass out, blood could also start to pour out from your body, and it is also possible for your hair to turn white depending on how far you go; you most likely won't be able to use your ability for a while.

Gio: Why do you say "most likely"?

Lionel: ... It is still possible to keep fighting after reaching your limit.

Sarah: Really?

Lionel: Yes, but I don't recommend it for either of you.

Gio: How come?

Lionel: It is possible to use your abilities and Ora after you break your limit, but if you do, it will do significant damage to your body and Ora.

Gio: What does that mean?

Lionel: When you reach your limit, you shorten your life span. We are able to counteract this because, with Ora, you can also increase your life span by thousands of years. That is the only thing that can happen if you go too far. Think of the connection between you and your ability as a line. The more you use your ability after going over your limit, the thinner this line will get until-

Sarah: You can lose your ability?

Lionel: If you aren't careful, yes.

Gio: I see how that could be bad.

Lionel: Yeah. This actually reminds me of something else. Something that was discovered years ago. This can make it so you are less likely to reach your limits.

Gio: What is it?

Lionel: Rebirth.

Sarah: You haven't told me about that.

Lionel: I didn't believe you would need it at the time.

Sarah: But Gio does?

Lionel: It could help him beat Cinco.

Gio: ...

Lionel: Rebirth is an event that barely ever happens, but it is possible for anyone who can control Ora. It increases the amount of Ora you have and how much you can control without reaching your limit. Sometimes, it can even change your ability.

Gio: By how much?

Lionel: It is hard to come up with a number on the spot. ... If I had to say, is probably increases them by 3x.

Sarah: How do you trigger rebirth?

Lionel: Sarah, you know how I said to increase Ora, either your mind or body need to be going through the harshest conditions?

Sarah: Yeah

Lionel: Well, for rebirth to occur, both need to be pushed to their absolute limits simultaneously.

Sarah: Sounds ruff.

Lionel: And that isn't even all. You also need to realize and accept how weak you are. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to become stronger. Even erasing who you are. You need to be willing to put everything on the line to change, to be reborn.

Sarah: Sounds like ... a lot.

Gio: Can it happen to someone more than once?

Lionel: I rarely ever hear about it happening once, let alone twice. Maybe it can happen.

Lionel: Any other questions?

Gio: Let me think.

Lionel: Okay, while Gio is thinking, what about you, Sarah? Since some of this is new to you, too, I am sure you have some questions.

Sarah: How come I can train, but the amount of Ora I have doesn't change?

Lionel: That is ... actually a good question, Sarah.

Sarah: WHY ARE YOU SUPRISED?!

Lionel: Don't worry about it. Your amount of Ora indeed increases when either your body or your mind is put through the harshest conditions, but you are a rare case, Sarah. The quantity of Ora is excellent, but the body is ... frail; the amount of Ora you gain from training won't be nearly as much than you would if your body was stronger.

Sarah: So you are saying the amount of Ora I get from training is basically cut in half because my body is too weak?

Lionel: Definitely less than half, but yes.

Gio: I have a question now.

Lionel: What is it?

Gio: There is a lot you can do with Ora. Can you just list some things?

Lionel: Oh, sure, Abilities is definitely one of them. You can enhance your strength, speed, durability, and increase your life span. People who can manipulate Ora tend to mature a lot faster than normal people. Don't let information make you two forget you are still children, though. It can increase senses. That actually reminds me you are capable of sensing other people's Ora.

Gio: How far do they need to be for you to sense them?

Lionel: The farthest I can sense someone is three miles, and the farthest Gray can sense someone is seven miles.

Gio: That sounds very useful.

Lionel: There was also something that was discovered about twenty years ago. It was made to specifically counter the power to sense others. It is the power to conceal your presence. It is so complicated to learn that not even I know how to do it.

Sarah: Does Gray know how to do it?

Lionel: ... Gray is so good at it he is able to even conceal the presence of anyone he is touching.

Gio and Sarah both look at each other and start laughing. They both try to hold it in to protect Lionel's feelings. They start to calm down and look back at Lionel.

Lionel: ... Are you two done?

Sarah: Yes, sorry.

Lionel: It is fine.

Gio: How come Gray is able to conceal the presence of people he touches?

Lionel: The way he explains it is that he can cover the people he touches in his concealed Ora, like covering someone with a blanket.

Gio: Sounds hard.

Everyone hears a loud boom coming from the sky. Lionel looks up and sees gray clouds brewing.

Lionel: Looks like it is about to storm—one last question.

Gio: So, is there a Master of Ora?

The question intrigued both Sarah and Lionel. Even though the question just left Gio's mouth as a result of him trying to think of a question fast.

Lionel: Well, technically, no. Ora isn't something that can really be mastered. It is an infinite, boundless energy. It can't be mastered it is impossible.

Gio: Then what is the point? If no matter what you do, you can't master it?

Lionel: No, Gio. Don't you see? You will always be able to get stronger. No matter what, you can always get better and become better. You can always have room to grow. There is no such thing as becoming perfect, but you can always be better. Isn't that amazing?

Gio: ...

A drop of rain falls on the top of Lionel's mask.

Lionel: It is raining. We should go home and put out the buckets and barrels.

Gio: Buckets and Barrels?

Lionel: Yeah, we aren't near a river. We mainly get water from rain.

Sarah: I can fly home with Cloak and put them out.

Lionel: I wouldn't fly if I were you.

Sarah: Why not?

Lionel: There is a monster called Rajin. It is a giant white snake with a crimson horn on its head. It eats lighting, rain, heavy winds, and humans. It slithers on clouds, so if you fly and he is up there ... that would be a problem.

Sarah: ... No flying when it is storming then.

Sarah runs down the hill so fast she kicks up dirt with each step.

Gio: So, where did Rajin come from?

Lionel: A professor named Liam. He has been a thorn in the rouge's side for a while.

Gio: Did he create any more monsters?

Lionel: Yeah, but none of them are as dangerous as Rajin.

Gio: Interesting.

Gio walks from under the weeping willow tree, and rain starts to fall on him. Gio looks down at his hand and sees how wet it has gotten. They both begin to walk back to the house.

Lionel: You have never been caught in the rain before, huh?

Gio: Why would I need to? I already know how it works. It is just water that has built up in the clouds.

Lionel: Well, if you look at everything like that, then you get any enjoyment from life.

Gio: What do you mean?

Lionel: Not wanting to experience or do things something just because you know how it works. Is that why you were so interested in Ora? It was something new to experience for you. So you were interested.

Gio: I don't need to experience things I already know.

Lionel: Why do you think that?

Gio: Cause that is just how it is.

Lionel: So you won't experience anything unless you don't know about it?

Gio: That is what I just said.

Lionel: Did you know how rain felt before now?

Gio: ...

Lionel: Did you ever know what it was like to have your clothes get wet?

Gio stops walking and looks at Lionel.

Gio: Why is it so important to you that I like it here? It's not like it matters if I do. I already agreed to stay. So why won't you just leave me alone?

Lionel: I want you to feel at home here Gio. When Sarah got here, she worried about if you would wake up or not every day. I wanted to help you.

Gio: Because you wanted to help her, not me.

Lionel: No, you are wrong. I wanted to help you just as much as I wanted to help Sarah.

Gio: Why? You don't even know me.

Lionel: That didn't matter to me. I wanted to help you, Gio. I wanted to get to know you. I wanted this place to be your home.

Gio: ...

Lionel: I know you don't care. That is fine. I care, though, and I always will. I will always care about you.

Sarah: ["Lionel was there for me"]

The reason why Lionel was Sarah's Master came back to his mind. In a way he felt as if he was starting to understand what she was talking about.

Lionel: You say you know how rain works, but what I said before still stands.

Gio: No, I have never experienced the rain myself. When I heard about it, I thought it would be inconvenient to be caught in the middle of it, but now I am here, and I see that it isn't that bad.

Lionel: I am glad you see it that way.

Gio: The thought of a giant man-eating snake kinda takes away from the moment, though.

Lionel: ... Sorry.

Gio: I am joking.

Gio looks at Lionel with a smile on his face.

Gio: Thank you ... Master.